ILLUSION || Jason Todd

❝AND WHAT ARE THE ODDS?❞

SABRINA CARPENTER, BED CHEM

For the past few weeks, Lorelei had felt nothing but a halt to her life. With Jason still dead - a hopeless prayer that this was all an awful nightmare within a coma had become a broken record each night to her lucky star - and still no sign of her elemental magic or talisman, the young mage had officially completed all studies on becoming a Queen.

Or, at the very least, all books on becoming a Queen. There was still much to learn, things she would only learn after becoming the ruler of Centia. If she became the ruler of Centia.

So, with those studies being whipped from her schedule, for the first time in almost a year, Lorelei genuinely had some time for herself. And she really, really didn't know what to do with that. Her arms were wrapped in the unfortunate isolation her life had thrusted into her surroundings.

Jason? Dead. Her family? Unreachable.

The people that brought light into her life aren't there anymore. At least not physically, she knew deep down they would always be family and awaiting her return but... what would life with the Titans look like without Jason?

Lorelei was really struggling to grasp onto any optimism, despite her stubborn need to survive whatever her life carelessly throws her way. Her free time wasn't exactly helping.

Every free moment she had before Jason died had been spent astral projecting to him. They would savour those meetings, enjoy their company with every second possible because they were never guaranteed, never often enough to shatter the longing and never fulfilling.

But now?

Now she has nothing.

Nothing but having to sit with those really uncomfortable feelings and questions. "What is next?" and "What do I do when I'm free?" always came to mind. She didn't like that - neither did the not knowing and having no answers to her inaudible asks.

She wasn't necessarily avoiding those thoughts, they never went away. But she was keeping herself preoccupied for a while. Just enough for those unsettling questions to become second thoughts. It was a useful preoccupation, too. Lorelei had begun her vigilante training once again - not just her morning running.

Dylan had become a massive help with helping her form a proper routine to quickly get back into shape. She hadn't fallen, not really, these instincts were like riding a bike. But it was easy to slip up after not training for almost a year. Lorelei didn't like to think about time anymore.

Only one thing was for certain. Lorelei would continue with vigilantism once she was free, regardless of what that looked like.

For Jason.

"So you just fight these guys?" Dylan asked, carefully watching Lorelei punch the red punching bag hanging from the ceiling. The question sprung from yesterday's conversation.

Dylan had always been a shy person, there was no denying how terrified he had been within the first few weeks of his promotion and Lorelei's return. The honey blond boy rarely asked questions, often taking whatever Lorelei fed into his knowledge of the young mage.

When he first found out about vigilantism, he was more than eager to learn more. Lorelei could tell, regardless of his bitten tongue. A small, child-like spark of intrigue and curiosity. In a few ways, it reminded the ice blonde mage of Garfield and his enthusiasm towards their chosen lifestyle.